After a brief hiatus following a remarkable recruiting streak, Missouri has once again fortified its roster with a local standout. Charles Bass III, a highly sought-after safety from East St. Louis, announced his commitment to the Tigers’ class of 2025 this Wednesday. Standing tall at 6 feet and weighing 185 pounds, Bass is recognized as one of Illinois’ top prospects, ranking ninth in the state, 34th among national safeties, and 369th overall in the Class of 2025 according to On3 Industry Rankings. His decision to pledge to Missouri followed an official visit to the campus on June 21.
Choosing Missouri over a slew of competitive offers, including from Kansas, LSU, Texas A&M, and Michigan, among others, Bass brings with him an impressive high school resume. During the 2023 season at East St. Louis High School, he showcased his skills with 85 total tackles, 58 of which were unassisted, while playing cornerback. His addition to the Tigers’ recruiting class marks a significant boost, joining fellow defensive backs Mark Manfred and Dyllon Williams, and becoming the 17th commitment overall for the class of 2025. Bass is also the second recruit from Illinois, following defensive tackle Jason Dowell from Belleville.
With Bass onboard, Missouri’s recruiting efforts have catapulted their Class of 2025 to 13th nationally and 6th within the Southeastern Conference, as per the On3 Industry Ranking. This commitment comes on the heels of a notable streak where Missouri secured commitments from four highly touted prospects in just four days: wide receivers Jayvan Boggs and Donovan Olugbode, and offensive linemen Lamont Rogers and Keiton Jones. While the pace of recruiting may ease as the 2024 season approaches, Missouri fans eagerly await the upcoming SEC Media Days.
Head coach Eli Drinkwitz, alongside quarterback Brady Cook, receiver Luther Burden III, and defensive lineman Kristian Williams, will represent the Tigers in Dallas on Tuesday. The spotlight shines brightly on Burden III, who has garnered attention in the gaming world with his impressive ratings in EA Sports College Football 25. Released recently, Burden III earned a remarkable 94 overall rating, placing him 11th overall in player rankings and making him the highest-rated receiver after Colorado standout Travis Hunter.
Burden III’s attributes in the game underscore his athleticism and skill, boasting a speed rating of 94, acceleration of 95, strength at 77, awareness at 95, and jumping ability at 92. The top spot in the rankings was claimed by Michigan cornerback Will Johnson with an overall rating of 96, joined by LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell and Oklahoma State running back at the same rating. Notable mentions in the top 10 include Tennessee defensive end James Pearce Jr., Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, Georgia’s Malaki Starks, Michigan’s Mason Graham, Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins, and Georgia’s Tate Ratledge.
As Missouri continues to build momentum with key recruits and prepares to showcase its talent in the upcoming season, the addition of Charles Bass III stands out as another strategic move towards bolstering their competitive edge in the SEC and beyond. His commitment not only reinforces Missouri’s commitment to recruiting excellence but also sets the stage for a promising future on the gridiron.
